MLA calls for action on
financial abuse of elderly

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone has called on the Government at Stormont to act on the recent report by the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland on the financial abuse of people aged 60 and over.

Mr McGlone said: “The report demonstrated that 21% of people aged 60 or over in the North are affected by some level of financial abuse. That is well above the level found by reports in other countries, and equates to more than 75,000 people over 60 experiencing financial abuse in our society.

“This shocking level of financial abuse of older people may actually be higher due to under-reporting of incidents. As the older population grows this problem is likely to increase. It affects the physical and mental health of those targeted and older people are often more vulnerable due to higher levels of social isolation. Clearly this is not acceptable.

“All organisations and statutory agencies should work together to target their responses to this problem. The Government at Stormont must now act on the disturbing findings of this report.”